(2 Chronicles 34-35; 2 Kings 22-23)

The underlying feeling today is never to be dependent on anyone. This is at the root of the American story and dream and western independence. However, Jesus says just the opposite – deny yourself and completely depend on Him.

Why is it important to feel dependent on God? What does it mean to “feel” dependent on God? We don’t like feeling dependent on anyone. our mind and will should be submitted to the Spirit and dependent upon His leading, but our feelings about that can be very tricky and lead our minds and will away from seeking God’s leading.

No one likes being dependent on others

Overall one of the main lessons of the Kings, is learning to feel dependent upon God and to not feel powerful.

This is a general lesson all through the story of the kings and whole bible. It was critical for the king to humble himself before God and the people

LESSON 28 the Final Lesson

Verses: 2 Chronicles 34-35; 2 Kings 22-23

We are not to feel comfortable, in control, or powerful, but dependent on God, for in Christ, we are more than conquerors and will reign with Him forever.

Why are we not to feel comfortable? explain that we will get apathetic in the fight of faith and our ultimate purpose and focus more on the things of this world than the kingdom to come.

Why are we not to feel in control? explain that we will miss the Lordship of Christ operating in our life and the leading of the Spirit of God.

Why are we not to feel powerful? explain that we will miss the powerful working of the Holy Spirit in your life, not by power not my might but by My Spirit says the Lord

Let’s learn from King Josiah how to become dependent on God:

2 Chronicles 34:14-21

Josiah’s dependence on the Lord through dependence on His Word to obey it. When we get away from the Word of God we drift quickly. When we forsake the house of the Lord, we drift quickly – Josiah restored dependence on the Word of the Lord and the centrality of worship in the house of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 34:27

Josiah humbled himself before the Lord, made himself feel dependent on the Lord

What does it mean to tear one’s clothes? What is the connection between humility and fasting? This is all about making ourselves dependent on God.

The verb “humble” (kānaʿ) expresses an important theological concept (2 Chr 7:14; 12:6–7, 12; 28:19; 30:11; 33:12, 19; 34:27). It appears twice in v. 27. Josiah’s attitude was an example for all wrongdoers to follow. The promised reward was that God would spare Josiah from witnessing the disaster he would bring on Jerusalem and its people, and Josiah would be buried in peace. Huldah’s prophecy is reminiscent of Jer 18:1–11 where the prophetic promise, whether hope or judgment, is contingent upon human response by either repentance to God or the forsaking of God. Although Josiah’s reign was one marked by religious reform based on the law of Moses, he disobeyed God when he fought Neco of Egypt (2 Chr 35:20–24). Huldah’s prophecy was fulfilled, since Judah did not suffer judgment from God, i.e., exile, until after the death of Josiah.

Thompson, J. A. (1994). 1, 2 Chronicles (Vol. 9, p. 378). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

2 Chronicles 35:18

Josiah kept Passover, like no others since the time of Samuel, why is Passover so important? dependence upon God for salvation – connect here with communion and the remembrance of all we have is from Him.

What do we do since Jesus has fulfilled the law, ceremonies and civil law, to show our dependence upon Him?

2 Chronicles 35:20-24

Josiah sadly become self sufficient, powerful and went out to fight Neco king of Egypt without dependence on the Lord or even inquiring of the Lord and was killed in battle

John 15:5

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Do we believe this? Everything around us is influencing us to depend on other things, especially ourself.

We have to be honest, what are the things I am dependent upon rather than on God – for the kings is the same for us, power, political influence, riches, comforts and security of the city and nation

It is important here to understand that Jesus never advocated laziness, or a poor work ethic or not to care for your body – we are to do hard things, we are to discipline ourselves, but we are to make sure that the general countenance of our soul is one that is growing into a constant state of feeling dependent on God, regardless of our life experiences.

John 4:31-34, 5:19

Jesus’ dependence upon the Father to do His will

Feeling dependent on God is the key to our overall health.

I am starting to learn this deep truth in my own life and my health.

[Give illustration of Sally Livingstone tell of my question to her and her answer and faithfulness]

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

“For when I am weak, then I am strong”

Give example of Paul’s thorn in weakness he was strong, His power is perfected in weakness

Here is the role of trials, sickness, persecutions etc, to make us dependent on Him, 2 Cor 12

1 Timothy 4:7-8

“…Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life, and also for the life to come.”

Is what we are doing making us feel strong in ourself or in Him?

The danger of doing hard things and workout culture today or even the spiritual disciplines movement is that our actions make us feel strong in our own deeds rather than foster greater dependence upon Him

Discipline is good, doing hard things is good as long as it strengthens our dependence upon Him and not in ourselves. In the midst of the hard things are we abiding in Him, depending on Him?

Culture is screaming, be strong, you are strong, live strong, etc life in the Spirit and to have His power manifest requires just the opposite

When someone says you are so strong, we should say, no I am not, but He is! We should ask them, where does your strength come from? Tell me about how you are depending on the Lord and His strength?

If we are relying on our own strength, sooner or later, we will come to the end of ourself and be tempting to strengthen ourselves with things that are unhealthy and unholy!

Are you aware of the new trend in the tech industry and startup industry: using psychedelics to stimulate creativity! This is nothing new, the ancients did this too.

Physical training versus training for godliness, who is willing to enter the toughest training

Ephesians 3:20-21

He is more than able, it is not our power, but the power within

close here back to the main lesson:

Tie back to main lesson, but in Christ we are more than conquerors and will reign with Him forever. Tie into our new series in Ephesians 1:3, 2:6

Mark 10:15

Answer the question, what does it feel like to be dependent upon God? It is to feel like childlike dependence upon your heavenly Father.

Matthew 16:24

Jesus calls us to deny self – this includes are right to feel like we want to

We don’t like it, we like to feel in control, comfortable, secure knowing what is to come. Independence to dependence is the spiritual journey of following Jesus.

Galatians 5:22

It is the fruit of the Spirit not our striving.

The key to truly experiencing feeling-experiencing the fruit of the Spirit, humility and dependence.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

“And I when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that you faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” – this should be the goal of every preacher!

Give Paul’s example of coming to the Corinthians with complete reliance upon the Gospel and not wise human words.

Matthew 5:3, 5:5

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”

Sermon on mt, blessed are the poor in spirit there’s is the kingdom of God

Acts 3:12

“Men of Israel why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?”

Beware of any strong victory language emotionalism, that is not exalting Jesus with great dependence like Peter and John at the temple after the beggar was healed